The New England Patriots did not have official word on P Ryan Allen (shoulder), but there is very little reason to believe he would miss the AFC championship game Sunday, Jan. 19. The Patriots could sign a punter by 4 p.m. Jan. 18, but the risk of not practicing with a new player for an entire week is higher than the odds the Denver Broncos would be surprised by a new special-teams player.

Updating a previous report, the initial diagnosis is that New England Patriots P Ryan Allen (shoulder) suffered an AC joint sprain in his right shoulder during the Divisional Round playoff game. Allen is scheduled to undergo more tests on the shoulder Sunday, Jan. 12.